Top 5 Italian Authentic Christmas Dinner Recipes

Every culture has its Christmas dinner traditions. Some households go for a fowl-and-gravy approach (in England it’s almost always turkey), and others can be a bit more colourful. If you’re looking to try something new this year, why not take a little inspiration from one of the most highly respected culinary traditions on the planet? Here are the top 5 Italian authentic Christmas dinner recipes, from appetiser to delectable dessert.

Traditional Italian Antipasto – An appetiser with style. Serve traditional Italian cured meats (think prosciutto and salami) alongside olives, anchovies, artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, marinated mushrooms, and Italian cheeses. Variations on this traditional platter can also include deviled eggs, figs, and other grilled vegetables like courgette or aubergine. Be sure to include some good crusty bread on the side, and olive oil for dipping.

Gnocchi Pasta – These luscious dumplings can be made from flour, potato, or even breadcrumbs. Find imported gnocchi in your closest international shop to ensure your dish is authentic, or find an authentic recipe to attempt some gnocchi of your own. Cook and serve hot with pesto, tomato sauce, butter, or cheese. Your guests are sure to be impressed.

Italian Roast Beef - This dish makes for a mouth watering main course. Simply season your beef with garlic, butter, fresh rosemary, salt/pepper, and roast away! Start with the beef cooking at 200 C for about 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 160 and cook for another hour or more.

Panettone Cake – This is the traditional Italian Christmas cake, and has grown in popularity so much that it can be found almost anywhere in Europe. It is a fluffy, not overly sweet cake that contains candied citrus and raisins. Typically served with a sweet wine, Christmas in Italy is simply not the same without a panettone cake. Find one in the shops, or, if you fancy yourself a bit of a baker, try your hand at the authentic Italian recipe.

Struffoli Sweets – Another traditional Italian Christmas dessert, struffoli are sweet fried balls of dough served with a sugary glaze and dusted with powder sugar on top. Struffoli are simple to make, and will add an authentic Italian vibe to your holiday celebration.